Methotrexate

[Granblue]

Hi all. This is my first post. I'm 51 and I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis Nov 2022. I started hydroxychloroquine straight away. Tried sulfasalazine but experienced awful side effects with my Hiatus Hernia Started on 15mg Methotrexate in January with side effects of mostly fatigue and nausea. Have increased folic acid to every day apart from injection day. Have been much better. Still having flare ups at the moment. But trying to stay positive. Since turning 50 my life has changed dramatically. I also have enlarged aorta which is monitored regularly and unfortunately was put Amlodipine last year due to a rise in blood pressure that went to crisis level in RA clinic. Under control now. So taking each day as it comes. I work as a reablement carer so my job sometimes is manual handling which is hard with my condition. Going on holiday in May but my injection is due monday the evening I fly. I normally take it 7.30pm but I'll be in the air. Does anyone think it will be OK to take it early Tuesday morning when I arrive at my hotel. Thanks ❤️

[welsh12]

Have you asked the rheumatology nurse?

[Granblue in reply to welsh12]

Hi. Not yet. Don't get the quickest response from them. But I will try on Monday.

[welsh12 in reply to Granblue]

I know it's not quick I am not injection so don't know with tablets I would move it

[Granblue in reply to welsh12]

Just hate being on any of them. Hopefully it should be OK.

[Bluegolf1975 in reply to Granblue]

I would think it would be fine as I take my Methotrexate injection normally on a Saturday but occasionally forget and then take on a Sunday.

[bpeal1]

Read the patient information leaflet. It should say what to do if you forget a dose. The same rules would apply for a late dose. It will probably say something like “If you forget a dose take it as soon as you remember except if … “ it will also say when to take your next dose.

If that doesn’t help you’ll need to contact your rheumatology team .

[Bootoo]

Could you not take your mtx earlier, before you set off?

[Granblue in reply to Bootoo]

I suppose I could. Just didn't fancy any chances of nausea when flying.

[HeadInASpin]

I usually have my injection at 10.00 on a Monday morning but I have had it as late as 6pm when something important came up. It didn't seem to make any difference to me but as always best to check with your rheumy team. More importantly.... have a lovely holiday!

[wilbertjellyfish]

I take my injection any time on the day. If you change to the Tuesday you'll then have to keep taking it on the Tuesday. Either way it'll not make much difference to your condition. I've been taking mtx injections for about 5 years now.

[Spanelmad]

It's the day that tends to matter not the time.

[janmary]

welcome to the forum - if you take it as usual perhaps the excitement of going away will distract you? Otherwise change to Tuesday as routine day , Have a lovely holiday

[Scottishlad]

I have taken my Cimzia a day early over the course of several doses to get back to my normal dose days after having to delay my injections. I didn't contact my rheumatology team Of course my experience is not medical advice!

[stbernhard]

I often have to change my injection day for many reasons. I never and any trouble by being a day earlier or later, but then we're all reacting differently and I might a lucky one. Enjoy your holiday, I'm sure it's well deserved.

[Granblue]

Thank you all for your replies. Much appreciated. I'll check with rheumatology this week. So lovely to have this group for advice to each other. Take care all. 😊

[ruth_p]

I would say it would be fine as it’s still within the same 24 hour range you would normally take it.

[DoraBracken]

I regularly change my injection day to the following day if it's more convenient, then just resume my routine the following week and it's fine. Just make sure you don't take the folic acid on the injection day.

[Baradlay]

Hi Granblue, I have done it many times, following advise from a health professional. I think it is better to skip it to make it 8 days between rather than 6 if side effects are a problem. Normally when your condition is stable it is not the end of the word if you skip a week. For me when I changed from tablets to injection the side effects disappeared, later become more manageable. I think healthy Mediterranean diet is important too.

[alchemillamollis]

Hi, I have taken the injection on a Tuesday and there was no difference.

[Tuppy66]

Hi,

Stay positive you’re doing great, I’ve been taken off all my medication at the minute due to contracting Pseudomonas so my body is in a hell of a mess at the moment I can barely move after being controlled with Methotrexate and Humira for the past 12 years.

Anyway perseverance is key and you seem to be doing really well. As for your injection being taken on the Tuesday morning there will be no problem with that or failing that take it earlier on your usual day.

I’ve even injected on the plane when flying long haul as all medication and injections need to be in your hand luggage and be sure to take a letter from your GP and copies of all your prescriptions.

Have a fabulous holiday.

Take Care,

Alex

[jf211]

it will be fine - for a weekly injection, a day either side occasionally is fine - but adjust the day you miss the folate

[Gottarelax in reply to jf211]

This was the advice I had from my nurse. I had to have a dose actually 2 days early due to needing it to coincide with a nurse appointment. I then took two weeks of injecting a day late to get back to my normal dose day that I prefer.

[Tia53]

I've actually done my Metoject whilst on a 5 hour flight (in the toilet) I was fine.